Who this dispatch service is for
This page is for owner-operators and small fleets (1–10 trucks) whose MC authority is at least 6 months old and who run open deck—flatbed, step deck, conestoga or hotshot.
If your authority is past the early broker screens and you are still spending hours running the boards for cheap freight, that is the problem we solve. Candor Trucking is an open-deck truck dispatch service for owner-operators and small fleets. We specialize in flatbed, step deck, conestoga and hotshot freight in Texas and the steel belt, for 7–11% of gross with no contract and no forced dispatch.
We also handle dry van, reefer and box truck when the lanes fit, but open deck is where most of our 2,400–2,700 loads have been. Heaviest volume sits in Texas, then Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, then Alabama and Oklahoma.
Who this is not for
We are honest about fit.
- Newer authorities under 6 months are accepted case-by-case, but they are not our target. Brokers still screen hard in that window; many apply thresholds of 90 days to six months. See our guide on why brokers treat your MC differently past six months.
- Carriers who want forced dispatch or a company that picks the loads for them. We never force a load. You approve every rate con.
- Freight we do not run day in and day out (certain heavy-haul or specialized moves outside our normal open-deck mix).
- Anyone looking for a broker. We are a dispatch agent under your authority, not a broker.
If you are happy self-dispatching and consistently clearing solid all-in rates with low deadhead, keep doing it. A dispatcher is a tool, not a requirement.
What we handle for you on a normal dispatch day
A dispatch service for owner operators does the work that keeps you loaded without you living on the boards.
We search load boards and broker networks for freight that matches your equipment, preferred lanes and rate floor. We negotiate the rate. We send you the rate con. You approve it or we keep looking. Once you say yes we handle the carrier packet, the broker communication, the check calls while you are under load, and the paperwork after delivery.
We also chase the money that often gets left on the table: detention (pay for excess time at the dock once free time is up), TONU—the truck-ordered-not-used pay you are owed when a broker cancels after you are dispatched—layover, and tarp pay. Those lines only get paid if they are on the rate con and the times or tarp drops are documented.
Weekly gross reports go to you so you can see exactly what moved. We follow your U.S. business hours and stay available 24/7 while a truck is under load. Across the loads we have booked, the pattern is the same: the carrier stays in control of every decision.
| Task | You alone | With Candor |
|---|---|---|
| Load search & negotiation | You on the boards 2–4 hrs/day | We search and negotiate |
| Rate con approval | You handle it | You still approve every one |
| Carrier packets & paperwork | You | We handle |
| Detention / TONU / tarp chase | Easy to miss | We pursue |
| Weekly gross report | You build it | We send it |
Freight and lanes we run
Open-deck freight is what we book most days. Flatbed and step deck dominate the volume. Conestoga and hotshot sit in the same desk.
Texas is the heaviest region for us, followed by the steel-belt states (Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania) and then Alabama and Oklahoma. We run those corridors every day. We do not claim to be “Texas-based”; we simply book a lot of Texas open-deck freight.
Exact recent rate-per-mile ranges on specific lanes are not published here until verified. When those numbers are ready they will sit in a simple lanes table.
Seasons matter. Construction and steel move in cycles; oilfield-related pipe and equipment can tighten or loosen with activity. We plan around that instead of forcing a lowball just to keep the wheels turning.
Equipment we dispatch
Flatbed
Standard open deck. Chains, binders, straps, winches, edge protectors, and the right tarp when the shipper requires it. Tarp pay goes on the rate con before you roll.
Step deck
Lower deck height for taller freight. Same securement and accessorial rules.
Conestoga
Rolling tarp system. Useful when weather or shipper rules make traditional tarping slow or risky.
Hotshot
Smaller open-deck or gooseneck work. Same no-forced, you-approve-every-load rule.
Dry van, reefer and box truck are available when the lanes and rates make sense for the truck.
How much does a dispatch service for owner operators cost?
Industry dispatch fees commonly sit in the 5–10% range of gross, or a flat weekly amount. Candor charges 7–11% of the carrier’s gross per load. There is no weekly fee, no setup fee and no termination fee. Multi-truck fleets can discuss the rate.
What that percentage covers: load search and rate negotiation, broker credit checks, carrier packets, rate cons, invoicing and factoring paperwork, pursuit of detention / TONU / layover / tarp pay, and weekly gross reports.
See the full breakdown on our pricing section below.
Worked example (illustrative only, results vary): on a $3,000 all-in load the fee at 8% is $240. You keep the rest after your own operating costs. ATRI put the average cost of operating a truck at a record $2.336 per mile in 2025. That number is why lowball rates and high deadhead hurt so fast.
| Model | Typical range | Candor |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of gross | 5–10% | 7–11% of gross |
| Weekly flat fee | Common alternative | None |
| Setup / termination fee | Sometimes charged | None |
| Forced dispatch | Varies | Never |
Proof so far
We have dispatched roughly 2,400–2,700 loads over more than three years, mostly flatbed and step deck.
Carrier reviews and specific before/after results will appear here once live. Until then they live on our our carrier review updates when ready.
Areas we cover
United States. Heaviest concentration in Texas and the steel belt (Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania), with regular work into Alabama and Oklahoma. Nearby markets without their own page are covered under the same desk—call or text and we will tell you whether your home base and preferred lanes fit.
How to start and how to cancel
Share your MC, equipment and preferred lanes. Once the carrier packet is complete we begin presenting loads that match. There is no long-term contract—cancel with written notice. Full process is on our onboarding process.
Sources
- FMCSA – Get Operating Authority (MC Number). Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (checked 2026-10-21).
- FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot. FMCSA (checked 2026-10-21).
- Cost to operate a truck hit record $2.34 per mile in 2025, ATRI says. Truck News (checked 2026-10-21).
- Brokers by Authority Age. TrueNorth Fleet (checked 2026-10-21).
Flatbed dispatch FAQ
Is a dispatch service the same as a freight broker?
No. A dispatcher works for you under your MC authority and is paid by you. A broker arranges transportation between shipper and carrier and is paid from the freight. We are not a broker.
Do I still choose every load?
Yes. There is no forced dispatch. We present options; you approve the rate con or we keep looking.
How fast can I start once paperwork is complete?
Once the carrier packet is completed, we begin presenting matching loads right away. We check your equipment and preferred lanes, and start searching as soon as you are set up.
Can Spanish-speaking carriers work with Candor?
Yes for text, email and WhatsApp. Phone calls are English only.
Do you work with authorities under 6 months?
Case-by-case. Our target is 6+ months because that is when more brokers open up. Many brokers still apply 90-day to six-month screens.
Are there contracts or weekly minimums?
No long-term contract. Cancel with written notice. No forced acceptance rate and no weekly minimum number of loads.